As creatures of habit with a few obsessive behaviors interspersed, Tom and I are a perfect match. He has a tendency to be more ritualistic than I but most certainly I can easily get sucked into copying a behavior of his. I suppose this happens when a couple is together around the clock.Recently, while awaiting the package from the US, sent on February 10th, we both began obsessively watching the tracking information for the US Postal Service based on a tracking number provided us by our mailing service in Nevada. The package never seemed to move much after that date.﻿
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Property prices is outrageous in Australia especially close to the larger cities such as Sydney. with hilly terrain, many have ocean front and ocean views.

Until we requested our shipper conduct a search for the package and the requisite 12 day process passed, the package finally was in motion again. We couldn't have been more thrilled to see it on the move again especially when the contents includes all of our tax records for 2016, the renewal of both of our drivers licenses, my new smart phone and other items.Finally, it arrived in Tasmania last Wednesday and our prior landlord, Anne shipped it to our address here in Fairlight. For over 72 hours it never moved from Hobart. Finally, this morning, we noted it was shipped to a processing station near Sydney. If all goes well, it will arrive tomorrow. We're both tentatively excited about its arrival.﻿

A peek through the trees.

Secondly, last Monday we ordered Tom a new laptop from the US, having had it shipped to our mailing service (free shipping from Amazon) since none of the companies that had that particular item would ship via international express. It made it to our mailing service on Wednesday.After paying AU $528, US $400 for Fed Ex international express shipping plus the cost of the laptop at AU $956, US $730 (including sales tax) our total cost for the laptop is AU $1,480 US $1,130. ﻿
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Apartments, condos and small coop type properties are the main focus for rentals with high rents in most areas.

After checking for a similar product in Australia, we'd never have been able to purchase that particular item, brand and features Tom preferred for anywhere near the price we paid. Based on what we found, it would have been higher priced at 30% to 40%.
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Rooftops in Australia decades ago were all red clay tiles. Now that homes have been rebuilt to include second stories, spotting a red roof is less common.

Need I say that every hour (or more often) we've obsessively checked the tracking information on these two packages, with a tile on my laptop (which we've been sharing for 10 days) and links on Tom's phone (which we've been sharing for months).Today, with baited breath we wait with a note encased in plastic taped to the mailbox, hoping sometime in the next several hours the laptop with arrive. Tomorrow, perhaps the other package will arrive as well. ﻿
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A few areas along the coast are undeveloped or included private homes nestled in the trees.

In the interim, we're share more photos from our recent outing with Bob. We're grateful we'd gone out on a sunny day. Its been cloudy and raining every day since. This morning, on the news, we heard this has been the third most rainy season in history in New South Wales (NSW). Go figure...while we're here. ﻿
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Views of bays and the open sea create a breathtaking backdrop.

But, no complaints here. We're happy to be dry, safe and immigration-ready for our cruise in 19 days. Let's see how the next few days roll out which we'll happily report here.As for today's photos...they were all taken from this popular tourist spot in the nearby hills. The below photo includes a portion of the story of the origin of Arabanoo, an Aboriginal man who was kidnapped by marines in 1788 with more following below.
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"Arabanoo (1759–1789)

Arabanoo (d.1789), Aboriginal man, was captured at Manly on 31 December 1788 by order of Governor Arthur Phillip, who wished to learn more about the natives. Arabanoo was taken to the settlement where a convict was appointed to guard him; he was at first pleased by a handcuff on his wrist, believing it to be an ornament, but became enraged when he discovered its purpose.

Then a severe epidemic of smallpox broke out among the Aboriginals in April 1789, several who had been found in great distress were brought to Sydney where Arabanoo helped to care for them; he caught the disease himself and died on or about 18 May. He was buried in the governor's garden.

One contemporary account gives his age as about 30 and another as about 24. He was not tall, but 'robustly made', with a thoughtful face and a soft, musical voice; his disposition was mild and gentle, but 'the independence of his mind never forsook him'. During his brief sojourn among the colonists he became a general favourite, and Phillip records that he gave them much information about the language and customs of his people."May your day meet all of your expectations!

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Photo from one year ago today, April 3, 2016:

Tom stood on the witness stand in the old courthouse at the Taranaki Pioneer Village, a style that may be seen in more modern day courthouses throughout the world. See story and more photos here.